לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה (lo ru.cha.mah)
lo ru.cha.mah
No Mercy
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Lo-ruhamah, meaning "no mercy" or "uncompassioned," serves as a stark prophetic sign in the book of Hosea. Given to the prophet’s daughter, it is not merely a label but a divine announcement regarding Israel’s spiritual state. The form suggests a passive condition—she has been shown no mercy—highlighting that the withdrawal of God’s compassion is an act of judgment rather than mere absence.
This name appears alongside two others given to Hosea’s children, each carrying a heavy theological weight. While her sister Jezreel points to impending judgment and her brother Lo-ammi signifies a broken covenant ("Not My People"), Lo-ruhamah emphasizes the cessation of divine pity. The sources note this as a symbolic act by Hosea, illustrating that God’s mercy is not automatic but contingent upon His will.
Although the name declares a temporary withdrawal of compassion, it does not define the final word for Israel. The narrative arc of Hosea moves from this harsh declaration to restoration, showing that even after the season of "no mercy," God’s love remains capable of renewal. The name stands as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness, yet it is framed within a larger story of redemption.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lo-ruhamah carries a heavy weight, translating to "no mercy" or "uncompassioned." In the book of Hosea, this was not just a label for a child but a prophetic sign pointing to Israel’s spiritual condition. It reflects a time when God’s compassion seemed withdrawn because of persistent unfaithfulness. This name reminds us that our relationship with God is serious; He is holy and does not overlook sin lightly.
Yet, this declaration was not the final word for Israel. The story in Hosea moves from judgment to restoration, showing that even in seasons where mercy feels distant, God’s ultimate purpose remains redemption. For you, this offers a sobering but hopeful perspective: while actions have consequences, God’s love is not bound by our failures alone. It invites us to trust in His character, knowing that He is both just and deeply committed to restoring those who turn back to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Ruhamah2×
- Lo-2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֻחָ֑מָה2×
- לֹ֣א2×
Key Verses
-
Hosea 1:6
She conceived again, and bore a daughter. Then he said to him, “Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, for I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, that I should in any way pardon them.
This verse explicitly links the name Lo-ruhamah to God’s decision to withhold pardon from Israel, highlighting the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness.
-
Hosea 1:8
Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived, and bore a son.
The mention of weaning Lo-ruhamah serves as a narrative marker before introducing the next child, emphasizing the sequential nature of these prophetic signs.